Surya Namaskar - An Adoration

Bhava, Emotion - Ways of developing a personal connection with the practice.

What do you adore? What is your object of adoration? How do these feelings shape your thoughts and actions? A chance conversation with one of my yoga students about Surya Namaskar inspired me to reflect on my own practice and the deep admiration I have for it.

Surya Namaskar, or Sun Salutation, is a near-daily ritual for me. This physical practice serves as the foundation for my day, enriching my morning and evening walks with various contemplations on the sun.

Through my Vedantic studies, I’ve come to appreciate the sun's qualities as beautifully described in poetry, prose, and especially in the chants and mantras. “Gayatri Mantra”, “Asatoma Sadgamaya”, invoke the Sun to kindle our intellect, and “Suryam Sundara Lokanatham Amalam” visualizes the Sun ar the Creator, preserver and dissolver and a symbol of our own Self Luminous awareness that illumines our everythought, emotion, action and experience. Surya Namaskar makes us the connector of the Heaven and Earth and puts us in a cosminc connection and lifts us up and yet gives us firm rooting.

In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna tells that He passed on the knowledge of Karma Yoga - Selfless Service to The Sun and thus this generous life is given to each and every being equally to all - Animate and inanimate, lending the existence.

Physically, I love how Surya Namaskar employs a balance of opposites: forward and backward bends, stepping back and forward in a rhythm that calms the nervous system while lubricating joints and strengthening bones and muscles. It blends strength and cardio, opens the upper body, and releases tension in the lower body, creating a smooth conduit for energy flow. The simplicity of the practice makes it accessible; most people grasp it after a few tries. It mirrors forms of prayer found in many religions, invoking feelings of awe and surrender as we reach out to the divine and bow down with gratitude.

The very name "Surya Namaskar" connects us to something greater than ourselves. When we do a Namaskar or adore someone, we value what that person or thing represents and aspire to embody those qualities. The sun offers countless admirable qualities, reflected in the 12 Surya Mantras.

Below I have presented the Sanskrit Name, meaning of the quality of the Sun that it represents, and an emotion that you can bring in at each step as an example ( in Italics). This emotional connection is personal to each and every one depends on the day, to the surroundings and what is going on in life and the groundedness, connection that you seek

1. Om Mitraya Namaha - Friendliness to all

   - Connect to the tranquility of the morning/day.

2. Om Ravaye Namaha - Radiance

   - Receive the energy with open arms, invoking higher thoughts.

3. Om Suryaya Namaha - Dispelling darkness and inciting activity

   - Ground myself, expressing gratitude to Mother Earth.

4. Om Bhanava Namaha - Illumination

   - Take a step back, reflect, gather , prepare for what is to come

5. Om Khagaya Namaha - All-pervading movement through the sky

   - Stabilize the intent, Hold firm.

6. Om Pushne Namaha - Giver of nourishment and fulfillment

   - Embrace vulnerability and surrender

7. Om Hiranya Garbhaya Namaha - Golden brilliance

   - Strengthen and awaken to possibilities.

8. Om Marichaye Namaha - Infinite rays of light

   - Resolve to give my best.

9. Om Adityaya Namaha - Son of Aditi, the cosmic mother

   - Gather inner strength and step forward.

10. Om Savitre Namaha - Responsibile for life

    - Ready for the day to share the gifts

11. Om Arkaya Namaha - Worthy of praise and glory

    - Be in awe of the gifts we are given and reflect back with open arms

Om Bhaskaraya Namaha - Giver of wisdom and cosmic illumination

- Complete the circle, returning to self-awareness

Surya Namaskar Practice with Mantras -

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx2admcC828XUX5zWFPjjiG4NkXoN0pugO?si=-M9Mgf16ML0cCrrg

This practice renews my interest and curiosity to know more about myself every day. It grounds me, enriches my daily experiences, and continually draws me closer to my true self.